Get a good travel insurance (e.g. World Nomads, trusted by Lonely Planet and National Geographic – our review) which covers loss of valuables.

4. Fake charity petition scam

Image source: parisinsights.com

How it works:

A scam that is common across Europe (e.g. France, Germany), this occurs in the main tourist areas in the 1st District (“Innere Stadt”) of Vienna and involves a scammer asking you to sign a charity petition.

The form will probably be in a language which you do not understand.

Once you do, the scammer will ask for a donation to the charity which does not exist.

If you refuse, they will become extremely pushy and aggressive.

As this ensues, an accomplice will take the opportunity to pick your pocket while you are distracted.

What to do:

Firmly refuse and walk away.

5. The dropped wallet

Street of Vienna

How it works:

This scam starts when a scammer drops a wallet or a large amount of money on the ground.

Their accomplice will pick this up, asks if it belongs to you and will then suggest splitting the money.

As both of you are discussing, the first scammer will reappear and accuse you of stealing.

Now that you are caught up in this commotion, the accomplice will use the opportunity to pick your pocket.

Another variation (e.g. in Hong Kong) is that when the first scammer reappears, he will search through your belongings forcefully.

Once he has grabbed something valuable, both will run away.

What to do:

This is a common scam. If someone approaches you and asks about a dropped wallet / money, first identify if your wallet is still intact.

If your wallet is still with you, simply walk off and not partake in any further discussions.

6. Spilled liquid scam

Vienna Hofburgtheatre

How it works:

This is a common scam everywhere around the world (e.g. Brazil, Thailand).

A helpful bystander will stop you on the streets and claim that you have a stain on your clothing. The trick is that they will have put this there themselves.

For instance, they could spill liquid or squirt stuff on you from your blind side. The liquid / stuff will be made to look like white bird droppings.

They will then offer to help you clean it up. As they are doing so, they will steal your valuables when you are distracted.

What to do:

Stay alert on the streets especially if you find someone getting close to you.

If someone tries to help you, push them away and get to a safer space. While doing so, check that your valuables are still intact.

Note that sometimes, some scammers may just be trying their luck and there may not even be a stain.

To prevent thieves from ever having a chance of stealing from you, consider using:

This way, the scammers may simply let you go since you do not seem to have much cash.

8. Sprigs of rosemary

Image source: sunshineandsiestas.com

How it works:

Austria has seen an influx of Eastern Europeans including gypsies from neighboring countries like Romania and Bulgaria. This happened when these countries joined the EU in 2006.

One of the common scams associated with the gypsy community in Austria involves sprigs of rosemary. Or it could be other items like an amulet or medallion.

The scammer approaches a visitor and hands them the rosemary and says that it is a blessing for them. They then expect some money in return, even though you did not solicit the rosemary and blessing yourself.

If you refuse they often threaten to curse you and cause a commotion in the street.

The aim of this is to distract you so that one of their accomplices can steal your wallet or other valuables.

What to do:

Firmly reject and walk away.

B. TRANSPORT

1. Luggage slashing

Schafberg Railway

How it works:

There have been reports of bag slashing on the train from Prague to Vienna.

Many passengers sleep on the train. However, when they do so, thieves will slash their bags / luggage to steal their valuables.

A twist on this scam is thieves who distract you on a train by causing a commotion. Their accomplice will then come in to steal your luggage.

What to do:

Make it impossible for thieves to stealyour bags with these steps:

Keep your bag on your lap / beside you instead of in the overhead compartment.